Spring Game 2026
It was October 25, 2025.
I had just parked outside First Bank and Trust Arena and started walking toward Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium when it finally hit me. This was my first big college football game that I had ever covered.
NDSU was in town for the Dakota Marker game. A rivalry that always brings energy, but this one felt different. (NDSU now has made the jump up to FBS and will play a tough but wide open Mountain West schedule while SDSU has stayed down a division)
Even with starting quarterback Chase Mason out, the stadium was alive. Loud and electric. The kind of atmosphere I had only imagined before. For a moment, I thought this must be what an SEC night game feels like in the south.
And then reality hit.
SDSU got throttled.
The inexperience at quarterback showed early. The offense struggled to find any rhythm, and the energy in the stadium slowly faded. What started as a hopeful night turned into a tough one.
That game ended up feeling like a preview of the rest of the season.
The Jacks never quite seemed the same again. What followed was a frustrating stretch that ended with a second round playoff loss at Montana. Questions started to build about the team, the direction, and especially about Chase Mason’s future.
One question stood above the rest.
How would Dan Jackson’s team respond after a difficult ending to his first year as head coach?
Fast Forward to Today
Now, standing inside the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex, I felt that same kind of buzz again. This time, it felt different. It felt optimistic.
Fans were eager to see what this year’s team would bring. There was a sense of anticipation in the air. Players were loose, laughing and warming up. The new Jackrabbits who will start classes this fall watch from a distance. Former players like Mark Gronowski and Isiah Davis are back in town for a wedding and chatting it up with Coach Stig and others. It did not feel like a team weighed down by last season. It felt like a team ready to move forward.
Dan Jackson stood on the sideline, focused and talking with his assistants.
Chase Mason, the now grad senior QB from Viborg-Hurley, is back and launching deep balls to wide receivers and looking confident in 7 on 7 drills.
Then the game starts…
The team goes through warmups and starts the day off in 7 on 7 drills. The QB group along with the rest of the offence takes on the Linebackers and defensive backs while the lineman take to the eastern side of the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex. Not too long later, the 50ish play scrimmage starts with the defense up 17-0.
This one had energy from the start. The offense came out sharp, moving the ball right away, but it was the defense that made the first big statement with a clutch 4th-and-1 stop.
After a few bumps, the offense found its rhythm. Ramon McKinney capped off a strong drive with a touchdown to make it 17 to 7, but the defense answered again with tight coverage and key breakups to slow things down.
Then after a field goal, things got wild. Eddie Schultz slipped loose on a blown coverage and walked in for an easy touchdown to tie it at 17. Moments later, it looked like another score was coming, but a goal line stand and a blocked field goal flipped the momentum in a big way.
That swing turned into points fast. Jack Thue found McKinney on a scramble play for a huge touchdown, giving the offense a 24 to 17 lead.
The final drive had drama, including a called-back touchdown, but the offense couldn’t finish it.
Final score: 24 to 17.
Big plays, big stops, and just enough execution when it mattered most.
Game takeaways & things to watch for this season
Confidence in the QB and RB Room
Chase Mason looked comfortable in 7-on-7, and Jack Henry, Anthony Rezac, and Jack Thue all led solid drives. While a few red zone chances slipped away, the offense consistently moved the ball.
The passing game leaned on quick, short throws that turned into big gains, something that could be a real weapon this season.
The running backs also stood out. After relying heavily on Julius Loughridge last year, this group looks deeper, with multiple backs making plays on the ground and through the air. Short yardage situations still need improvement, but that should come with time.
Overall, both groups look more confident and more in sync with the offense.
Same ole Jacks Defense.
The defense looked fast and aggressive, with guys flying to the ball all game.
Replacing leaders like Kobe Clayborn and Aydan Dauterman won’t be easy, but Cullen McShane, Noah St. Juste, and Dawson Ripperda headline a group that still looks strong and deep across the board.
The biggest thing to clean up is limiting explosive plays. That was an issue last year, turning small gains into big ones. If the front line can create more pressure and the secondary tightens up, this unit should be tough again.
Depth
This team looks older and deeper than in past years, especially on defense. With five senior linebackers and a strong group of upperclassmen, there’s a lot of experience that could lead to a big season if they stay healthy.
On offense, the QB and RB depth is matched by a tall, fast group of receivers and tight ends. Lofton, Jack Smith, and Graham stand out as key targets, while Quinten Christensen looks set to anchor the offensive line.
Final Thoughts
With a veteran core and something to prove, this group looks ready to climb back to the top of the Missouri Valley and make noise nationally. There is a quiet confidence that Dan and his staff are building that points to more than just a solid season. It hints at a deep playoff run.
After the game finished, you could find fans and family talking with players and looking ahead to this upcoming season It felt like a weight had been lifted. There was energy again. In a state without major Division I programs or pro teams, that matters. When fall arrives, expect Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium to be packed, with fans ready for football to mean something again.
As I packed my camera gear and made my way back to my pickup parked west of SJAC in the relentless South Dakota wind, I kept coming back to one word: gritty. That is the identity this SDSU team is starting to embrace. After a rocky year, they are not dwelling. They are pushing forward.
Go Big. Go Blue. Go Jacks.
I'm Carter Hibma
I’m a 21-year-old sports creative who turned a shooting a single basketball game for fun into a passion for storytelling through the lens. From racetracks to gyms, I capture the moments that matter. FAA Part 107 certified drone pilot. Off camera, you’ll find me on the farm, the golf course, or with family and friends.